The Portuguese, who scored against his old club in the Champions League last week, is still yet to receive an official contract offer from his current employers.

Earlier this season Ronaldo revealed his "sadness" at life at Real, fuelling speculation he would leave the club, with United and Paris St-Germain touted as potential destinations.

Indeed, it was even suggested that the 28-year-old would honour his contract until 2015 and leave on a free transfer.

But according to sources in Spain, his agent Jorge Mendes has given club president Florentino Perez the green light to hold negotiations in the summer.

The Spanish side will hold their presidential elections later this year, and Perez is mindful that persuading his star player to commit his future to the Bernabeu club would boost his own chances of re-election.